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Veteran 'escapee' Bernard Jordan honoured by Brighton | Veteran 'escapee' Bernard Jordan honoured by Brighton |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A World War Two veteran who disappeared from his nursing home to attend D-Day commemorations in France has been made an honorary alderman of Brighton and Hove. | A World War Two veteran who disappeared from his nursing home to attend D-Day commemorations in France has been made an honorary alderman of Brighton and Hove. |
Bernard Jordan, a former mayor of Hove, was honoured during a special meeting at Brighton Town Hall. | Bernard Jordan, a former mayor of Hove, was honoured during a special meeting at Brighton Town Hall. |
The 90-year-old sparked a police search last month when he left the care home unannounced to join fellow veterans. | The 90-year-old sparked a police search last month when he left the care home unannounced to join fellow veterans. |
He was called "a living legend" by the current mayor at the ceremony. | He was called "a living legend" by the current mayor at the ceremony. |
'Wisdom and warmth' | 'Wisdom and warmth' |
Brian Fitch said Mr Jordan's "recent exploits delighted the media, entertained the general public, worried his friends at The Pines and completely bemused his family". | |
"It's his mix of self-effacing bravery and humour, wisdom and warmth, experience and perspective that prompted me to nominate Bernie as honorary alderman," Mr Fitch added. | "It's his mix of self-effacing bravery and humour, wisdom and warmth, experience and perspective that prompted me to nominate Bernie as honorary alderman," Mr Fitch added. |
Mr Jordan, who lives at The Pines care home in Hove with his wife, disappeared the day before commemorations were due to take place. | Mr Jordan, who lives at The Pines care home in Hove with his wife, disappeared the day before commemorations were due to take place. |
Staff at his nursing home had tried to get him on to an accredited tour to Normandy with the Royal British Legion but it had not been possible to arrange. | Staff at his nursing home had tried to get him on to an accredited tour to Normandy with the Royal British Legion but it had not been possible to arrange. |
Undeterred, the former navy officer decided he would go there anyway, sparking a police alert and throwing him into the media spotlight. | Undeterred, the former navy officer decided he would go there anyway, sparking a police alert and throwing him into the media spotlight. |
Asked why he travelled across to Normandy, Mr Jordan, said: "My thoughts were with my mates who had been killed. | |
"I was going across to pay my respects. I was a bit off course but I got there." | |
Brighton and Hove City Council said the honour was in "recognition of eminent past services" to Hove Borough Council. | Brighton and Hove City Council said the honour was in "recognition of eminent past services" to Hove Borough Council. |
Mr Jordan was a member of the council for 23 years and served as mayor from 1995 to 1996. | Mr Jordan was a member of the council for 23 years and served as mayor from 1995 to 1996. |